You were one of the best player/role models of all time. We will miss you Yao! Good luck and Godspeed in your future endeavors.
I can honestly say that I've never rooted for any athlete harder than I rooted for Yao Ming. I miss him already.
Thanks for the memories, definitely a day that isn't shocking, but surprising at the timing of it. It is end of a dynasty, but beginning of a new one. I hope the Rockets can find something that can fill those big shoes. I hope I get he stays around town and thank him for his service with the Rockets.
he was certainly the best center in the NBA for at least 3 straight years. he was a consummate professional, a jovial personality, a leader of men, a kwasimoto of this franchise, and a victim of the ****tiest luck. i feel the following is most appropriate: give him an honorary halftime ceremony with former great rockets big men in attendance hire him retire his jersey
One small victory for the bbs, one giant leap for grammar. People have come out retirement in the past. Keep hope alive!
The league is officially losing one of the only two dominant centers left in the game. The Rockets are officially saying goodbye to an era represented by a truly special player and human being. It's a shame what could have been, but you always gave it your best and represented Houston with class. Thanks for everything, big fella!
I guess he can now enjoy life after the game quicker by rehabbing with the Rockets facilities and help from their staff.
thank the heavens. yao's a hard worker and i respect that but his body isnt meant for 82+ games. finally our franchise can move forward. i blame the organization on how they handled tmac/yao's injuries. i would gladly tank 2 seasons if it meant tmac/yao could rest back to full health (and 2 lottery picks :grin just poor management.
Didn't someone post (over the last month or so) that Yao was going to retire soon because their injury wasn't healing or something like that? I can't remember where i saw that post......The timing seems odd to me. I'm thinking he just wants to get some pressure off his back. He can always come back later... How does this change his situation, if at all? Does his free agency change in any way if he's coming back from retirement?
4 years of continous injuries would have made me call it as well. He is just too freaking big for the NBA pounding game. What a shame, such potential fully unrealized.
Yao doesn't ****ing deserve this at all. He was the single most gentle and humble person I have ever witnessed in the NBA. Dude could have took over the team and selfishly demanded the ball every night but he didn't. He always let others player their game without being too demanding. He never had any off-court incidents ever. He's like the Mr. Perfect of the NBA. And then he gets repaid for it by getting injured every season. There is no god.
I'll miss you Yao. Despite all the failed expectations and frustrations, it was worth it to watch you knock down those turnaround J's effortlessly. Here's to Yao. A silent leader, a great baskeball player and a great human being.
He can now do his rehab in the TC with the help of the Rockets staff. He may get healthy quicker but I don't think he' playing again.
Fully ready, completely expected, yet still surprisingly sad. Still remember the overheaded passes to Moochie and the first time he went up against Shaq. He grew up before our eyes, and his time was cut much too short. Thanks Yao, for all the fond memories.
